It's hard to know where to start with Germany. As a wine producing country it remains, even now, a scandously mis-understood and neglected source of some of the world's very finest wines.

The two key areas in Germany are the Mosel and Rhine valleys, which produce the best Rieslings money can buy. And if one talks of the Mosel one really must include its tributary valleys of the Saar and the Ruwer which are home to some of Germany's best known estates. The Nahe valley which lies between the Mosel and the Rhone is also important. Whilst certain anoraks will talk up the merits of less recognised areas such as Franconia and Baden and avangelically sing the praises of the country's red wines, what sets Germany apart is its Rieslings from its great vineyards and that is where we are concentrating our attentions.

The beauty of these Rieslings is their uniqueness. The grapes are picked late when the sugar levels have risen to a level where the juice could be considered sweet. However, their astonishing natural acidity counteracts the sweetness to produce mouthwateringly vibrant wines that age mesmerisingly well. Without the sweetness the wines would be overly rasping, without the acidity they would be blowsy and sickly. This mutual reliance results in such complex wines that the best examples have no peers. Many of the vineyards are situated on treacherously steep slopes, so steep that workers have died tending to the vines. The best sites impart the most amazng mineral elements in to the juice which combine beautifully with the natural complexity of low-yielding Riesling. Forget the likes of Liebfraumilch, the wines are talking about could be from another planet. In many ways, they are a white version of Burgundian Pinot Noir, reflecting the unique terroir and individuality of each tiny plot from which they emerge. They are also great food wines, versatile and imaginative in their matchmaking abilities.

As time passes we will no doubt enrich our range but for now we are delighted to be able to ofer a range of wines from five of Germany's etsates.